Local business buzz

On June 10, the Kansas State Bank Commissioner approved the application of Citizens Bank of Kansas, N.A. to become a state-chartered bank, and officially change its name to Citizens Bank of Kansas.

The change will be seamless to customers, with no change in accounts or account numbers. The Office of the State Bank Commissioner will now be the primary regulator, with cooperation from the FDIC and the Federal Reserve. All deposits will remain federally insured.

“With the new name, we seized the opportunity to freshen up our logo and image,” said Jane Deterding, chief strategic marketing officer. “The old logo was created in 1994 when the separate banks were merged into one. It was functional, but really didn’t make a statement.”

With the help of two creative professionals, the new brand was developed and has been introduced in all markets.

“We’re calling it our Facelift 2013,” Deterding said. “We like the professional, vibrant feel of the new brand and are excited about the change.”

The public will see new signage at all six branches, and a new look on the bank’s website at www.citizensbankofkansas.com.

Via Christi physicians recognized for diabetic care

Twelve Via Christi Clinic physicians have received the National Committee on Quality Assurance Diabetes Recognition, joining an elite group of physicians across the country who share this honor.

The National Committee for Quality Assurance is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. The NCQA awards its Diabetes Recognition to top clinicians who have demonstrated a high level of performance in delivering quality care to patients with diabetes.

To receive recognition, the physicians submitted records of their patients that demonstrated evidence of controlled HbA1c (average blood sugar levels), blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein levels or LDL; and of providing smoking cessation advice or treatment, foot and eye exams and assessment for nephropathy.

Physician receives U.S. Civil Surgeon certification

Angel Teck, DO, has received certification as a U.S. Civil Surgeon. This distinction allows Dr. Teck to conduct medical exams for immigration services.

Most applicants for adjustment of citizenship status are required to have a medical examination, which must be conducted by a civil surgeon designated by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Dr. Teck sees patients at 720 Medical Center Drive in Newton. Appointments can be made by calling 284-5155.

Stevenson appointed to play therapy board

Plato said, "Watch a man at play for an hour and you can learn more about him than in talking to him for a year."

For Nicole Stevenson, a licensed specialist clinical social worker and play therapist at Prairie View's McPherson office, this statement speaks truth.

Stevenson has been appointed to the Kansas Association for Play Therapy board. The goal of KSAPT, a branch of the national Association for Play Therapy, is to build skills of practitioners through hosting training opportunities and also increase awareness of play therapy as a viable method of therapy.

"It is an honor to represent Prairie View as well as my colleagues in this role," said Stevenson. "I look forward to being able to serve the members of the organization to provide quality trainings and build skills so that we can serve our clients better."

During her three-year term, she hopes to bring quality and diverse training to help build skills and knowledge of play therapists at any level; to build opportunities to educate professionals who may refer children in communities to play therapy; to find ways to encourage play therapists in their profession and promote self-care; and to work on building networking and collaboration.

According to APT, children, through play therapy, learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and learn a variety of ways of relating to others. APT defines play therapy as "the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development."

Prairie View is a faith-based, private behavioral and mental health services provider. In addition to the main campus, including outpatient offices and a psychiatric hospital in Newton, Prairie View has outpatient locations in Hillsboro, Hutchinson, McPherson and Wichita.